Luke 4 5

Luke 4:5 kjv

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Luke 4:5 nkjv

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Luke 4:5 niv

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

Luke 4:5 esv

And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,

Luke 4:5 nlt

Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 5 Meaning

Luke 4:5 describes the devil's second (or third, depending on the gospel account) temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. The devil transports Jesus to an unnamed high mountain and supernaturally shows Him all the kingdoms of the world in a mere instant. This visual display precedes Satan's offer of universal dominion if Jesus would bow down and worship him, representing a temptation to gain power and glory through a means contrary to God's ordained path of sacrificial obedience.

Luke 4 5 Context

Luke 4:5 is part of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, following His baptism and being full of the Holy Spirit. This event directly sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. The temptation sequence highlights Jesus' perfect obedience and His identification with humanity's struggle against sin. By successfully resisting the devil, Jesus demonstrated His authority over Satan and affirmed God's sole sovereignty. The offer of "all the kingdoms" reflects a common messianic expectation among Jews for a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom. Satan exploited this by tempting Jesus to achieve worldwide dominion through a shortcut, bypassing the path of suffering and obedience to the Father's will. The Roman Empire dominated the "civilized world" (oikoumene) at the time, making Satan's implied power over such vast domains a potent lure.

Word Analysis

• And the devil (καὶ ὁ διάβολος - kai ho diabolos): The Greek diabolos literally means "slanderer" or "accuser," but in biblical context, it refers to Satan, the chief adversary of God and humanity. The definite article "the" emphasizes his singular, recognized identity as the ultimate evil entity. He is the active agent in this temptation.
• taking him up (ἀναγαγὼν αὐτόν - anagagon auton): The participle anagagōn from anago means "leading up" or "bringing up." This implies a supernatural transportation, as no mere walk would suffice to gain a view of all the world's kingdoms. It signifies the devil's power to manipulate circumstances, even physically, though always under God's ultimate permission.
• into a high mountain (εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν - eis oros hypsēlon): A high mountain serves as a vantage point. Biblically, mountains are often locations of divine encounters (e.g., Sinai) or significant spiritual events (e.g., Transfiguration). Here, it's repurposed by the devil as a stage for his display of worldly power. Its unspecific nature suggests a symbolic rather than a strictly geographical location capable of such a panoramic view.
• showed unto him (ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ - edeixen autō): edeixen from deiknymi means "he showed," "displayed," or "pointed out." This was a vivid, perhaps visionary, demonstration, not necessarily a physical sight accessible from a natural height. The implication is a supernatural revelation, a panorama of geopolitical power and glory.
• all the kingdoms of the world (πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τῆς οἰκουμένης - pasas tas basileias tēs oikoumenēs):
  • pasas: "All," indicating totality and comprehensiveness.
  • basileias: "Kingdoms," referring to the various political powers and empires of humanity.
  • oikoumenēs: "The inhabited earth" or "the civilized world." In Roman contexts, it often referred to the vast Roman Empire and its known territories. The devil falsely claims sovereignty over them, as if they are his to give, which sets up the lie of the next verse.
• in a moment of time (ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου - en stigmē chronou):
  • stigme: "A point," "an instant." This emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the vision.
  • chronou: "Of time."
  • This phrase underlines the supernatural and potentially illusory nature of the display. Such a comprehensive vision in a literal sense would be impossible from any physical mountain and points to a perception divinely (or diabolically) granted, or a swift, condensed presentation.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• "And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain": Establishes the primary antagonist and the supernatural setting. The elevation implies a vantage point for a grand display, physically elevating Jesus for a spiritual attack, mirroring the spiritual height of the stakes.
• "showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world": The core of the temptation. This grand vision is meant to dazzle and allure. It's an exhibition of human political power and glory, implying that it is attainable through compromise. The use of "all" underscores the magnitude of the offered dominion.
• "in a moment of time": Highlights the supernatural, rapid, and potentially superficial nature of the display. It's a quick glimpse of what the devil falsely suggests he can deliver quickly, contrasting with God's patient, suffering path to ultimate reign.

Luke 4 5 Bonus section

• Ordering of Temptations: Luke's ordering of this temptation as the second (Matt's has it last) might highlight different theological emphases. Luke follows the logical progression of personal need (bread), worldly power (kingdoms), and spiritual presumption (temple pinnacle). Matthew’s order culminates with the demand for worship of Satan, highlighting idolatry as the ultimate sin. Both narratives underscore Jesus' resolute obedience.
• Satan's Empty Promise: While Satan presented these kingdoms as his to bestow, they inherently belonged to God (Psa 24:1, Psa 50:12). Satan's offer was a magnificent lie built on a partial truth (he does have a degree of influence as the "god of this age," 2 Cor 4:4), aiming to trick Jesus into an unholy alliance, circumventing God's timeline and methods for the establishment of the divine kingdom.
• Symbolism of "High Mountain": The mountain signifies not just physical elevation for sight, but also a place of decision and spiritual contest. Historically, pagan worship often took place on "high places," making it an ironic location for Satan to tempt the true Son of God.
• Jesus' Counter to "Shortcut to Power": This temptation prefigures later events where crowds tried to make Jesus king by force (John 6:15), demonstrating the ongoing allure of political power and earthly dominion, which Jesus consistently rejected in favor of spiritual transformation and self-sacrificial love.

Luke 4 5 Commentary

Luke 4:5 describes a profound tactical move by the devil to subvert Jesus' messianic mission. By offering "all the kingdoms of the world," Satan appeals to the deepest human desire for power, dominion, and glory, amplified by contemporary Jewish expectations of a conquering Messiah. The temptation suggests a shortcut to universal reign, bypassing the arduous path of suffering, sacrifice, and the cross which God ordained for Jesus' true kingly anointing. The immediate visual splendor, "in a moment of time," aims to dazzle and tempt Jesus with an appealing alternative to God's plan. This vision directly contrasts with the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, which is not "of this world" (John 18:36), but one established through divine power, righteousness, and humble service. Jesus' refusal implicitly asserts God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, recognizing that Satan's claim of ownership is a deceptive illusion or a fleeting, granted authority ultimately subservient to God. This temptation showcases Christ's perfect fidelity, affirming that His kingdom is received from the Father, not through alliance with evil.